Bonsai Diseases and Pests

Bonsai plants are widely known in many parts of the world. Like all the other types of plants, they need care and attention. As a bonsai owner, you should know your responsibilities when it comes to taking good care of your plants. Though they may have their professed natural resistance to protect themselves from disease and pests, it is your job to attend to their needs. A Bonsais’ basic requirements include food, shelter and safety from such disease and pests. Such attention will greatly prolong their lives. Because of improvements in horticulture technology Bonsai owners have a range of tools and techniques at their fingertips. For instance, there are now biological methods as well as the organic ones that can help shield and combat your plants from these diseases and pests. To further and better understand the importance of taking care of your plants, you should know the adversaries first.

Bonsai Disease

Powdery mildew is a disease that will affect your plant’s health. When you see an infection caused by fungus on top of your plant’s leaves, this is a consequence from spraying water on your plant in the late evening when the cooler conditions did not allow the water to evaporate, or you are currently displaying your tree in an area where there is little air circulation. Plant fertilizers, which have high nitrogen content, can also cause this mildew. For treatment, you can use anti-mildew fungicide.

Another is downy mildew, which results from high humidity or too much water content in the soil of your bonsai plant. Oftentimes, this is a gray layer on the leaves’ underside. Chlorosis, on the other hand, occurs when the leaves start to turn yellow and their veins still remains green-colored. This is considered as an iron deficiency disease. Chlorosis can be treated through adding an iron supplement to the water.

Sooty mold, root rot, rust and black spots are also some of the deficiency diseases that your plant may experience. These diseases can be treated differently using insecticide or other supplements. Otherwise you can avoid fertilizers for about 8 weeks to make sure your plant is well-protected from these commercial products.

Plants are not only infected by fungus; they can also be attacked by viruses. Although these are seldom encountered, your plants have to have the best care to avoid this entirely. Otherwise, you may end up destroying your whole bonsai to stop the virus from spreading throughout the plant. Of course, no bonsai plant owner wants that!

Bonsai Pests

Pests like aphids, scales, spider mites, springtails, white flies, mealy bugs, caterpillars and ants commonly appear on plants that are poorly nursed and nurtured. However, there are also beneficial insects that can help you attain your plant’s utmost protection. These predators will help you lessen or eliminate the prey which attack your plant’s healthy condition. However, you must take note that these predators only survive when their preys are present.

Keep in mind that the soil is where life is. Not everything living on your plant is dangerous. You need to learn how to detect which are safe and which are not. If you are determined in keeping pests and disease away treat your plants well with your preferred treatment. Ensure also that all insect eggs are gone so as not to have them bothering your plants again.